Archibald bannatyne



(No Model.)

A. BANNATYNE.

CLOCK CASE.

No. 440,386. Patented Nov. 11. 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARCIIIBALD BANNATYNE, OF VATERBURY, CONNECTICU", ASSIGNOR TO THE NATERBURY CLOCK COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

CLOCK-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 440,386, dated November 11, 1890.

Application filed February 7, 1890. $e1'ial No. 389,554. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARCHIBALD BANNA- TYNE, of Vaterbury, in the co untyof New llaven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Clocks; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in-

Figure 1, a view in front elevation of a clock embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a view thereof in side elevation; Fig. 3, an enlarged View thereof in vertical section with all of the gearing of the movement removed; Fig. 4, a detached View of the front case-plate; Fig. 5, a similar view of the rear case-plate.

My invention relates to an improvement in clock-cases, the object being to produce a novel, attractive, and ornamental clock-case adapted to be readily taken apart and reassembled, and to be produced at a low cost for manufacture.

lVith these ends in view my invention consists in a clock-case having certain details of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

As herein shown, the body of the case is composed of a short cylinder A of glass. I would have it understood, however, that although I prefer this material, as it affords a view of the movement and makes the clock very attractive, it may be replaced by a cylinder of metal or other material, and made highly ornamental, if desired. Two flanged rings of metal 13 and B are respectively capped over the opposite ends of the cylinder, which they are adapted in size to fit, and in shape to extend for a short distance over the periphery thereof. The said cylinder and rings are interposed between a front caseplate C and a rear case-plate C, the former being centrally cut away, as at D, to expose the dial E of the clock, and provided at its upper edge with a perforated ear E and at its lower edge with two perforated feet G G, and the latter being made solid, except for provision for accommodating parts of the movement, and provided at its upper edge with a perforated ear I1 and at its lower edge with two perforated feet I I. The said perforated ears and feet are located in the same plane as the plates, with which they are formed integral. As herein shown, the plates are made fiat and of sheet metal. If desired, however, they may be drawn or cast, and instead of being made plain, highly ornamented. As herein shown, also, each plate has only one perforated ear. In large cases, however, this number maybe increased, as found necessary. The said plates are held together by means of three threaded bolts J, respectively passing through these perforated ears and feet, and located outside of the cylinderA and the rings 13 B, the outer ends of the bolts being headed and their inner ends being threaded to receive nuts K, which are screwed against the outer face of the rear plate. If desired, the nuts may be dispensed with and the bolts threaded directly into the rear caseplate. This mode of securing the case-plates together provides a compensation for variation in the thickness of the glass disk L, which protects the dial E, so that if in assembling a lot of the cases the glass disks run unevenly as to thickness the variation is readily taken up by the adjustment of the nuts when they are used, or when not used by the adjustment of the bolts themselves. The said glass disk is interposed between the inwardly-proj ecting portion of the flanged ring B and the outer edge of a deep mat M, resting directly against the outer edge of the cylinder A, and having its inner edge resting upon or brought down close to the dial, the conjunction of the deep mat and the front case-plate forming a very striking and attractive setting for the dial. If desired, the bolts may be replaced by straps or equivalent means for holding the plates together. A stem N, having an ordinary stemring 0 mounted in it, is provided with a transverse opening P, through which the bolt passing through the perforated ears is passed, whereby the said bolt is made to carry the ring and stem forming the handle of the case.

The clock-movement and the dial thereof are entirely supported from the rear caseplate, to which they are firmly secured before the several parts of the case are assembled.

This makes my improved case very easy to assemble and to take apart for access to the clock for purposes of attention and repair thereto. This construction also enables a deep mat to be used, which, in conjunction with the front caseplate, forms a very attractive and striking setting for the dial, as has been explained. The clock-movement itself may be of any approved form, and I will not therefore describe it.

I would have it understood thatin carrying out my invention I do not limit myself to the exact construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, but hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations in such form as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

I am aware that heretofore clock-movements have been inclosed in cases composed of flat plates of glass mounted in a suitable metallic frame-work and exposing the action of the movement to View, and also that a clockmovement has been placed in a recess formed in a block of cut-glass. My improved case, however, having a short cylinder of glass, combines the advantages of these old constructions and is very much cheaper thaneither, and also very durable and attractive. I am also enabled to make a much more compact glass case than is in any way practicable, if even possible, under the two prior constructions above referred to, and one in which the action of the movement may be viewed and critically inspected much more satisfactorily than under the prior constructions of glass cases, because my case is subject to no reflection in the glass, while they are open to that objection and difficulty.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

I. In a clock-case, the combination, with a short glass cylinder forming the body of the case, of two flanged rings, respectively capping the opposite ends of the cylinder and shaped to extend over the periphery thereof fora short distance, means, substantially such as described, located outside of the cylinder and extending longitudinally across it for holding the rings against its ends, and an annular mat and a disk-shaped glass interposed between the outer end of the cylinder and the ring capping the same, substantially as described.

2. In a clock-case, the combination, with a short cylinder forming the body of the case, of two flanged rings, respectively capping the ends of the same and shaped to extend over the periphery thereof for a short distance, a front case-plate and a rearcase-pla-te, respectively placed againstthe outer faces of the said flanged rings, means located outside of the cylinder, and rings for connecting the said case-plates so as to hold the same together, an annular mat, and a disk-shaped glass interposed between the outer end of the cylinder and the front case-plate, substantially as described.

3. In a clock-case, the combination, with a short cylinderforming the body of the case, of two flanged rings, respectively capping the ends of the same and shaped to extend over the periphery thereof for a short distance, a front case-plate and a rear case-plate, each having one or more perforated ears and two perforated feet, the said plates respectively placed against the outer faces of the said flanged rings, bolts located outside of the cylinder and rings and passing through the perforated ears and feet of the case-plates for holding the same together, an annular mat, and a disk-shaped glass interposed between the out-er end of the cylinder and the flanged ring capping the same, substantially as described.

4. In a clock-case, the combination, with a short cylinder forming the body of the case, of two flanged rings, respectively capping the ends of the same and shaped to extend over the periphery thereof for a short distance, a front case-plate and a rear case-plate, each having a perforated ear at its upper end, respectively placed against the outer faces of the rings, means located outside of thecylinder and rings for holding the case-plates together, a bolt passing through the perforated cars at the upper ends of the case-plates, and a stem through which the said bolt passes, substantially as described.

ARCHIBALD BANNATYN E.

Witnesses:

WM. A. HOLGATE, ABM. O. DEPEW. 

